The LEGO Movie, The LEGO Batman Movie, The LEGO Ninjago Movie, and whatnot were all spawned for The LEGO Group's partnership with Warner Bros. Entertainment. That partnership has now come to an end and The LEGO Group has replaced Warner Bros. Entertainment with Universal Pictures.
The toymaker has announced a new partnership with Universal Pictures which will last at least five years and spawn a new wave of LEGO movie franchises. This presumably means that The LEGO Movie franchise as it stands will not continue any further and the same can be said for The LEGO Batman Movie sequel that director Adam McKay said he was working on a while back — more on that here.
Universal Pictures chairman Donna Langley provided Deadline with the following statement regarding the studio's collaboration with The LEGO Group.
The LEGO System in Play gives people the ability to build worlds and create stories that they carry throughout every phase of their lives. To partner with such an iconic brand that remains relevant and is constantly evolving allows for creativity in storytelling. We’re thrilled to start building out the next chapter of LEGO movies together with Jill and the LEGO team as they continue to inspire curiosity and innovation.
The LEGO Group's Head of Entertainment Jill Wilfert said the following on the partnership with Universal Pictures. "Universal’s commitment to unique storytelling from diverse voices makes the Studio the perfect partner as the LEGO Group enters this new phase of filmmaking. Donna and the entire Universal team bring a sense of wonder and imagination we share, and we can’t wait to execute on our shared vision."
It's the end of an era for the LEGO movie franchises of Warner Bros. Entertainment. Said partnership spawned multiple financially and critically successful movies — some more so than others. Here's hoping The LEGO Group's team-up with Universal Pictures will be just as fruitful, if not even more so.